Effects of atriopeptin III on isolated rat afferent and efferent arterioles.

The effects of atriopeptin III (AP III) on in vitro prepared afferent (AA) and efferent arterioles (EA) from rat kidneys were tested in a system in which lumen diameter could be measured. AP III (10(-13)-10(-7) M) had no effect on lumen diameter of AA that were not preconstricted. When AA were preconstricted with either angiotensin II (ANG II) or norepinephrine (NE), however, AP III increased lumen diameter in a concentration-dependent manner to the preconstriction baseline value. Maximal vasodilation occurred at 10(-10) M AP III. Unlike AA, EA constricted by 50% to 10(-10) M AP III further constricted EA that were pretreated with ANG II or NE. Dilation in ANG II-preconstricted AA to AP III was not inhibited by indomethacin. Constriction of EA to AP III was not altered by [Sar1-Ala8] ANG II, enalapril, OKY 046, or phentolamine. Results indicate that in isolated renal arterioles AP III dilates preconstricted AA but constricts EA that have either not been pretreated or have been preconstricted with other agonists. The effect of AP III on preconstricted AA does not require vasodilator prostaglandin mediation. The constrictor effect of AP III on EA is not dependent on angiotensin, thromboxane, or alpha-adrenergic mediation.